The Effects of Urban Configuration on Urban Air Temperatures

Abstract

Urban forms affect main climatic elements, such as solar radiation, wind speed and air temperature. They are claimed to be the major cause of intra-urban climatic variations. This paper discusses the impact on urban air temperatures of urban configuration variables such as building density, spacing and orientation. The temperature profiles reflect the effect of heat storage, as the higher density experiences warmer temperatures during the afternoon until early morning. Similarly, the daytime temperatures for deeper canyons are cooler, but night-time temperatures are warmer. East-West axis Street proved to be of preferable temperatures in both solstice seasons.